HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

169

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE POSSIBILITY OF LOCAL OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF ELECTRIC UTILITIES AND encouragement of robust discussions that include the exploration of alternative ownership models for electric utilities.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, the pending sale of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., to Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc., could lead to a fundamental shift in the energy landscape of Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, the proposed sale has spurred public interest in examining different ownership schemes for Hawaii's electric utility services; and

 

     WHEREAS, energy cooperatives offer an alternative ownership structure that allows for democratic and local control of energy resources; and

 

     WHEREAS, energy cooperatives can offer savings to consumers through their tax-exempt status, reinvestment of revenues, and lower capital costs; and

 

     WHEREAS, an energy cooperative may offer further benefit to ratepayers through its ability to adapt to and incorporate rapidly evolving technologies; and

 

WHEREAS, jobs in Hawaii's energy industries provide a strong tax base and economic stability and are essential to maintaining a strong middle class in Hawaii; and

 

WHEREAS, the utility and energy industries in Hawaii and their employees will be affected by the acquisition of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., by NextEra Energy, Inc.; and

     WHEREAS, as discussions proceed on the proposed sale of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., it is beneficial to all to have a broad scope of discussion that includes alternatives like energy cooperatives and explores the option of public ownership by consumers of electric utility services; and

 

     WHEREAS, the participation of energy cooperatives in this discussion will offer a unique perspective on the goals and objectives of local communities; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature expresses its support of efforts to facilitate local ownership and control of electric utilities and local generation of energy; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature expresses its encouragement of robust discussions that include the exploration of alternative ownership models for electric utilities and whether these would provide a positive outcome for Hawaii's consumers; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission.

Report Title: 

PUC; Energy